Our laboratory is involved in research activities addressing infectious diseases affecting animals and humans. Our primary focus is on the zoonotic spirochete pathogen Leptospira. We use a system approach encompassing multiple aspects of this pathogen, including epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnostics, and vaccine development. We collaborate with a team of enthusiastic researchers who share their knowledge and expertise to address the current gaps in this field. Our other projects include vaccine and diagnostic development for Canine pathogens, Ehrlichia canis and Anaplasma platys. We are committed to utilizing all available resources in our quest to make scientific discoveries that can protect not just one but all species.
Areas of Research
Pathogens
Leptospira
Anaplasma
Ehrlichia
Epidemiology
Based on the “One Health” significance and growing emergence due to climate change, we continue to estimate the prevalence and impact of Leptospira in animal population and environment.
Diagnostics
We offer Leptospira diagnostic services to the veterinary community. We are also engaged in improving current diagnostic methodology and developing universal diagnostic tests.
Vaccinology
We invest in antigen discovery and development of improved Leptospira vaccines that can be used regardless of host species and infecting strains. We are also working on antigen discovery, vaccine, and diagnostic development for Ehrlichia and Anaplasma infections in dogs.
Recent Publications
Kellie A. McCreight, Liana N. Barbosa, Odoi Agricola, Porsha Reed, Sreekumari Rajeev. Leptospira seroprevalence in dogs, cats and horses: the effect of cross-reactivity between serovars and vaccination status on seroprevalence estimates. 2024-04-20 | preprint. DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.17.589957
Liana Nunes Barbosa, Alejandro Llanes, Swetha Madesh, Bryanna Nicole Fayne, Kalvis Brangulis, Sarah C. Linn-Peirano, Sreekumari Rajeev. Enhancement of clinical signs in C3H/HeJ mice vaccinated with a highly immunogenic Leptospiramethyl-accepting chemotaxis protein following challenge. 2024-04-18 | preprint. DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.17.590016
Ruijie Xu, Dhani Prakoso, Liliana C.M. Salvador, Sreekumari, Rajeev. Leptospira transcriptome sequencing using long-read technology reveals unannotated transcripts and potential polyadenylation of RNA molecules. Microbiology Spectrum, 2023-12-12 | journal-article. DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02234-23
Ruijie Xu, Sreekumari Rajeev, Liliana C.M. Salvador. The selection of software and database for metagenomics sequence analysis impacts the outcome of microbial profiling and pathogen detection. PLOS ONE, 2023-04-07 | journal-article. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0284031
Myranda Gorman, Ruijie Xu, Dhani Prakoso, Liliana C.M. Salvadore, Sreekumari Rajeev. Leptospira enrichment culture followed by ONT metagenomic sequencing allows better detection of Leptospira presence and diversity in water and soil samples. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 2022-10-26 | journal-article. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010589
Dhani Prakoso, Xiaojuan Zhu, Sreekumari Rajeev. Galleria mellonella infection model to evaluate pathogenic and nonpathogenic Leptospira strains. Veterinary Microbiology, 2022-01 | journal-article. DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2021.109295
